In Seattle and across the state of Washington, catalytic converter theft is on the rise. In King County, 11 catalytic converters were stolen in all of 2019. In the first half of 2021, that number climbed to 241 thefts - more than 1000%. This trend also shows no signs of slowing down. This has prompted lawmakers and police officials to band together to try and tackle this ongoing problem in 2022.

In the Senate, a new bill has been introduced to make it a crime to possess and sell a stolen catalytic converter. So, not only would criminals face penalties for stealing these devices, but so would the businesses who profit from known catalytic converter theft. In particular, businesses who knowingly receive stolen catalytic converters would face up to 364 days in jail and fines up to $5,000.

Senate Bill 5495 would also establish a Washington State Patrol training and grant program to help enforcement and investigations.

Police officers and investigators in Seattle are also on high alert trying to stop these thefts now. Recently, a man and woman were arrested for trying to steal a catalytic converter in Seattle. They were arrested in Auburn after a lengthy pursuit.

Why is Catalytic Converter Theft on the Rise?

Catalytic converters are an emissions-control device in your vehicle. It contains valuable precious metals that are easy to sell for scrap. In particular, rhodium is a pricey precious metal located inside the catalytic converter. Rhodium is currently selling for 15x the price of gold.

A reputable recycler will pay up to $1,000 for a catalytic converter from a Prius. On the black market, this same catalytic converter can fetch over a grand. That’s because rhodium is a pricey precious metal located inside the catalytic converter.

Stealing a catalytic converter is easy to accomplish as well. Thieves just need a saw and a few minutes underneath the vehicle. On a quiet and dark street, stealing a catalytic converter can be done without fear of being seen or caught.

But why is this theft on the rise? The pandemic may have something to do with it. During the pandemic, a shortage of raw materials has made the price of catalytic converters too tempting. In addition, countries like China began to increase their own emission standards. Thus, their need for catalytic converters is driving up the price and the demand.

Auto Part Businesses In Hot Water Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer Immediately

If you own an auto part business, you might find yourself in hot water if you sell or use a stolen catalytic converter. Chop shops are treated harshly in Seattle and throughout the area.

However, sometimes businesses get caught selling or using stolen products without their knowledge. When this occurs, businesses need an experienced legal team on their side to protect their rights and their reputation.

Contact Our Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you are arrested and charged with stealing a catalytic converter in Seattle, it is important to know that you could face serious penalties and consequences. Authorities are cracking down on this criminal trend and you could get caught in the middle. As such, it is important to contact an experienced and skilled Seattle criminal defense lawyer immediately.

The Seattle criminal defense attorneys at Lewis & Laws have defended thousands of individuals who have been charged with a variety of theft and burglary crimes. Contact us today at 206.209.0608 or fill out our online contact form. We can protect your future - call us today!